light a fire under

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light a fire under someone (mainly American)

to make someone work better or harder. It's time you lit a fire under those guys or they'll never finish painting the house.

See also: fire, light

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? References in periodicals archive
Summer's coming, it's getting to our busy time anyway -- it will just light a fire under people's butts to get them in here even more," said Bob Pottorff, who works at Performance Cyclery in Santa Clarita. CYCLING: TOUR IS HELPING PEDAL BUSINESS CYCLE EVENT MAY BOOST SALES by Daily News (Los Angeles, CA) A target date would also light a fire under Iraqis to work out a modus vivendi [a temporary agreement between contending parties]. A tentative timetable for a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq by Kristof, Nichlas D. / New York Times Upfront There was a period when predatory types like Carl Icahn and Henry Kravis were admired for their revolutionary zeal and determination to light a fire under entrenched, under-performing managers even if it meant massive, painful restructurings. Corporate heroes, where are you? (Flip Side) by Queenan, Joe / Chief Executive (U.S.) More results

References in periodicals archive

Summer's coming, it's getting to our busy time anyway -- it will just light a fire under people's butts to get them in here even more," said Bob Pottorff, who works at Performance Cyclery in Santa Clarita.

CYCLING: TOUR IS HELPING PEDAL BUSINESS CYCLE EVENT MAY BOOST SALES by Daily News (Los Angeles, CA)

A target date would also light a fire under Iraqis to work out a modus vivendi [a temporary agreement between contending parties].

A tentative timetable for a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq by Kristof, Nichlas D. / New York Times Upfront

There was a period when predatory types like Carl Icahn and Henry Kravis were admired for their revolutionary zeal and determination to light a fire under entrenched, under-performing managers even if it meant massive, painful restructurings.

Corporate heroes, where are you? (Flip Side) by Queenan, Joe / Chief Executive (U.S.)

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life's too short
life-saver
lifetime
lift
lift a finger
lift the veil
light

light a fire under
light at the end of the tunnel
light dawns
light fire
light relief
light up
lighten
lighten load

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